Legends about Luther: Lightning

"St. Anne Help me! I will become a monk."

The event which radically changed the course of Luther's life took place near Stotterheim on July 2, 1505. The happy go lucky law student was altered into a humble monk searching for God's grace.

Luther had recently completed a Master's degree and started his law studies at the University of Erfurt. He was on his way back to Erfurt after having visited his parents when he was caught in a terrible thunder storm a few hours outside of Erfurt.
Lightning struck near him and he was thrown to the ground by the air pressure it created. At this moment he called to Saint Anne: "I will become a monk!"

Luther commented on this event later. It is assumed that he had played with the idea of becoming a monk even before the storm hit.

To his fathers disgust and anger, Luther honored his solemn promise; he had one last party with university friends on July 16 and the next day he entered the Black Monestary in Erfurt to become a monk.